Chapter 3.26: Dear Diary, the Problem with Rules

Dear Diary, look! The family is together again! Isn’t it amazing? Every time I see my parents, but especially my father, it feels as if all is right with the world. He and Leela are elders now which feels very strange to me. But on the other hand, there was a time when my father was so ill, no one expected him to make it to his elder years, so I’m eternally grateful for this time we have together.
The reason my parents are here is that they took Marty for a few weeks’ vacation in order to spend some time with her. They did this with both Charles and Laurent but decided to take Marty by herself because she was the only girl who was a teen. They’ve promised that once the younger girls are teens, they will take them on an exciting adventure, too.
I missed Marty so much! While she was gone, I realized that it’s really she who brings much of the hilarity into our daily lives. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not playing favorites as each of the children have their own ways of endearing themselves to me. Sometimes, though, you don’t realize something special until it’s no longer there.
Imagine our surprise when the girl who approached us didn’t look like Marty at all, but rather a polished young lady that deserved to be called Martha, not some boyish nickname. Gone was her flyaway hair and torn overalls. In their place, stood a pretty girl in capris and orange t-shirt.
I couldn’t tell who was more stunned, myself or Matthieu. Marty looked from one of us to the other before finally saying, “Don’t you like it?”
Catching my breath in my throat, I hugged her close to me, smiling. “You look absolutely amazing! Your outfit is very fashionable.”
After giving me a small smile, she turned her gaze to her father. “Daddy?”
Crossing my fingers, I silently prayed that Matthieu would not say what was on his mind because if I was reading his expression correctly, he didn’t care much for this change.
“Do you like these clothes?” he asked after clearing his throat.
“Yes, I really love them. I would’ve dressed a lot nicer before if I’d known there were so many clothes to choose from! You wouldn’t believe the racks and racks of all kinds of colors and prints to try on, Daddy! It’s so exciting! And the shoes! Don’t get me started on the shoes!”
Matt’s eyes narrowed for a moment at my parents but then he rubbed his chin and embraced our daughter warmly. “You look pretty as a picture.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Wait until you see what else I brought home! I can’t wait to tell you all about the trip, too!”
“I can’t wait to hear,” Matthieu enthused.
I took that moment to hug my parents. “It’s so good to see you both. I’ve missed you so much.”
“We’ve missed you, too, honey.”
We chatted briefly then about how everyone was doing and the children all said their hellos. Then they were off to the park to play with the other children on the island, Laurent leading the way.
“How can you wear that ugly outfit?” Carrie asked, her nose scrunched up with disgust.
“I like it!” Marty answered.
“It’s ridiculous looking if you ask me.”
“Well, no one did ask you, Carrie,” Charles broke in, steering the bunch out toward the road.
“I think it’s all right,” Theo said.
“You do?” I heard Marty ask as they continued walking.
“Yup.”
Maybe Theo was finally noticing her, I thought. Or perhaps he was just sticking up for his friend. Time would tell.
It was high time I invited everyone inside. As they made themselves comfortable in the living room, I passed out nice tall glasses of iced tea. Speaking of, before me, Matthieu had never had iced tea and thought it was crazy to drink it cold, let alone over ice. This is just one of the improvements I’ve brought to our island.
As I came in to sit down, Matthieu was saying, “I really appreciate what you’ve done for Marty, but I wish you hadn’t bought her all of that clothing.”
“Oh dear,” Leela said. “We never meant to cause a problem. Marty seemed so self-conscious in her clothing and I only wanted to make her more comfortable.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is, really,” I said. “She likes what she’s wearing and I can tell it’s boosted her self-confidence.”
Matthieu sighed lightly but with exasperation. “You don’t understand. The clothing rules we have here are strict. She was already breaking them by wearing overalls. We live simply here for a reason.”
I have a feeling he would have continued but we were interrupted by a sharp knocking on the door.
“Won’t you have a seat?” I asked as I showed Agathe and Laci St. Cyr into the living room. I was being polite, but Agathe rarely visited because she was so busy and Laci had never once been here. Trouble was brewing and I figured I knew why.
“We won’t be here long,” Agathe said.
“We’re actually here on business,” Laci cut in, her thin lips drawing a disapproving line on her face.
“And what business would that be?” Matthieu asked.
“It’s about your daughter Mathilda,” Laci said.
“Martha,” Agathe corrected. “We understand that she went on a trip with her grandparents to the mainland and beyond and that she is home now in a rather… colorful outfit.”
“Word gets around fast,” my dad said under his breath.
Laci gave him an icy stare with her piercing blue eyes. “It’s a small island and it’s our business to know what is going on.”
“I’ll thank you to address me,” I said, stepping closer and becoming annoyed that Matthieu purposely blocked me with his body so I couldn’t move any closer. Was he afraid I would attack them?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alice in the hallway, listening.
“Very well,” Laci said.
“Actually, I was speaking to your Aunt Agathe, or have you taken over her responsibilities now?” I responded, meeting her frosty gaze head on.
“I have been letting Laci take on more responsibility as part of her training, but there is no need for unpleasantness,” Agathe smoothly said. “I’m sure Martha is very excited to be home and I trust she had a wonderful time with her grandparents. My only concern is that after today, once she’s settled back in, things will go back to normal.”“Normal.” I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and my pulse quickening.
“Blue, you know as well as every other resident there is a dress code. We don’t cotton to popular fashion in any sense. It is disruptive to our lives and creates wants in the young that we don’t need. I hope you can understand.”
“Agathe, we’ve been friends for a long time, and I don’t want to argue with you. However, she is my daughter and I will do with her as I see fit. If she wants to dress in her new clothes, then she will do just that.”
Agathe bristled at my words, her back straightening even more. Laci turned to her and said, “This is what you get for allowing a new comer on the island. She will never fit in.”
I had run into this sort of thing before, although in much milder doses during my time in Winchester. There were always people who thought if your family hadn’t lived here for the past one hundred years, you were a newcomer.
“Excuse me, young lady,” I said with more bite in my voice than I’d intended, “but I’ve lived on this island longer than you’ve been alive!”
“Perhaps it would be best if we continued this another time,” Matthieu suggested.
“I hope you can speak sense to her,” Laci spat.
“Laci, they are right. They have company and we’ve taken enough of their time.”
“Well, I don’t agree. Not until something is done about these people intruding into our lives!”
With a shock, I realized she was speaking about my parents. “Thesepeople? You mean my family? They are our guests and you have no say in that either.”
“I am sorry for the interruption, Blue. But Laci is right in this matter. We take our rules and privacy very seriously and I think it’s best if Mr. and Mrs. Capra go back to the mainland as soon as they are able.”
“I’m astonished, Agathe, that you would stoop to telling me what my daughter can wear and who I can have in my home as guests.”
“I realize that and again, I’m sorry. But you are living on our island and, honestly, I’m a bit surprised and thankful that we haven’t needed to take drastic measures before now. Often when people move here from the outside, they don’t fully realize what they are getting into.”
Finding it difficult to keep tears from my eyes, I said, “We’ve always been such good friends. I can’t quite believe you’re speaking to me this way.”
She touched my arm briefly as if to say that we still were good friends, then said, “It’s difficult being in charge. And it’s even harder teaching someone else to take my place. The rules cannot be broken… even for friends.”
That night, I didn’t sleep a wink. Instead, I paced the bedroom, then the hallway, until finally, I gave up and came downstairs. The house was dark and quiet as I padded into the kitchen to start some coffee. It was then that I found I wasn’t alone. Dad and Leela were sitting at the table, with coffee already in hand, speaking quietly.
When the sun rose and the breakfast mess was out of the way, I found Matthieu spreading hay.
“I always know where to find you when your mind is troubled.”
“It’s best to keep busy,” he said, pushing the pitchfork back into the haystack.
“What are we going to do?”
Not pausing from his work, he said, “Marty is going to follow the dress code and your parents will go home. What is there to do?”
“I cannot believe you’re saying this to me!” I shouted. “Will you stop with the hay for two seconds so I can talk to you?”
Slowly, he leaned the pitchfork against the hay and turned to me, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I know this is upsetting, but there is nothing that can be done. This is how we do things here and it never works out well to go against them.”
“So that’s it? You’re going to let other people dictate how we raise our children and conduct our household?”
He looked at me incredulously as if I’d grown a third arm or something. “That’s how we live, Blue. Our ancestors left a terribly run society to set up this community and we’ve maintained our rules and our ways ever since. You know this.”
“Matthieu, two busybody women marched themselves into our house yesterday! They were rude to my parents and to us!”
“Yes, they were. It’s what they do, unfortunately.” Sighing, he tried to take my hand, but I resisted. “I will agree that Laci will be especially hard to put up with, but that just means we’ll have to do what is right.”
“What is right is to protect our child! Do you realize the damage this may do to her? Do you understand the level of hurt at telling my parents they have to leave and are not welcome here? Do you?”
“And do you understand what our life here means? It’s everything to me, Blue! Everything! There isn’t anything I would not do for you and the children. We must preserve our life here!”
“Or maybe we should get the hell out of dodge!” I yelled. “Being here isn’t worth the pain it’s causing!”
Matt’s jaw dropped and for a moment, he was silent. Then, lowering his voice to a calm tone again, he said, “I love you and our family. You cannot be asking us to leave the only life we’ve ever known.”
Had the line been drawn in the sand? Could we not come to some kind of agreement? Was there any middle ground? It didn’t feel like it at all.
“Laci and Agathe have crossed a line and I know they won’t back down. I want to leave here, Matt. And I’m not leaving my children behind if I go.”
With tears in his eyes and before I could push him away, he grasped my hands in his.
“Please, don’t leave.”
“You could come with me.”
“This is a hasty decision and shouldn’t be made while you’re angry. Please – ” his voice broke and for the first time since meeting him, he had to wipe tears from his eyes. “I love you, Blue.”
Feeling my resolve weaken, I squeezed his hands. “I love you, too. The thing is, this is not over. Not by a long shot. But I’m not going to go sneaking off in the night.”
All at once, he pulled me toward him and into his strong arms. His fingers trembled as they wound their way into my hair and I rested my chin on his shoulder.
“I don’t know how, but we can work this out,” he said.
“I hope so.”
Later that evening, we put our problems aside, determined to give the twins a good birthday. Lissie, the older of the two, went first.
And also got the first piece of cake!
Upon studying her face, I couldn’t believe how much she looked like me even though she had Matthieu’s coloring. Of course, I assumed her sister would look similar.
Then it was Carrie’s turn.
My goodness! What lovely girls they were! I couldn’t wait to see what their futures would entail.
As I served the cake to my guests and thought about my parents leaving sooner than they’d planned, my worries rested heavily on my shoulders again.
I didn’t know what would become of us and I couldn’t believe the dreadful way I was feeling was because of some silly clothing. Should we leave Winchester? Would Matthieu come with us if we did? I couldn’t bear the thought of my family splitting up…

Author’s Note:Well, well, well, what a problem we have! 🙂 You didn’t think everything could be all roses, did you? Yet, here we are, very close to the end of Generation 3. I did sniffle a little when I saw Leo as an elder. It will be so hard the day I have to let him go.Our heir poll will be held on September 2 and the girls are the nominees: Marty, Lissie, Carrie, and Susan. In the next chapter, Susan will age to teen. My hope is that you will get to know all the girls well enough that you can make your choice. I’m so excited! 🙂 If you would like to see the girls as young adults, I did put up a Generation 4 chapters page!Oh, one last thing! Today, with the twins’ birthdays to teen, Blue achieved her Lifetime Wish of “Surrounded by Family!” Congratulations, Blue!Thank you so much for your support!

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There is so much I want to say about this chapter! To start with:
“Excuse me, young lady,” I said with more bite in my voice than I’d intended, “but I’ve lived on this island longer than you’ve been alive!” Can I seriously slap Laci! I wonder if Agathe will regret leaving the cap to her?! Bravo Blue for telling her off!
Leo as an elder??? 🙁 So sad to see, but oh does he still look hot!
I feel I would think the same as Blue and want to leave. Tough decision I’m sure. The Amish have rumschpringer for a reason, to remove the temptation. Perhaps that is what Marty will need.
I think I will stop there, even though there is still so much more to say.

Thank you, Bee. 🙂 Yes, you can slap Laci. Whether Agathe regrets it or not, Laci will be the next in charge, unfortunately. Agathe is in a hard place as she wants to accommodate Blue but she can’t bend the rules for her either because it is an example to Laci. On the other hand, I don’t see Laci as being on a power trip; I mainly think she holds this enormous responsibility and doesn’t have the life experience under her belt to see the gray areas in situations.
Oh, Leo as an elder is breaking my heart. I love him so. <3

Don’t get me wrong, but I am somewhat happy that something this big happened. I was waiting until troubles would arise, because really the life here seemed way too simple and lacking in any troubles! Not very realistic and not very realistic knowing you and your story!
I really don’t know whose side I should be taking in this thing because I agree with Blue that this is silly, but Agathe is right, they have set up some system years before and just because they are friends, it wouldn’t be fair to let Blue do what she wants while the others have to follow the rules. Matthieu was raised on it, so he can’t possibly imagine leaving the island when this is the only life he knows of! Well, this is the only life YOU know of, Matthieu, and definitely not the only life for Blue! She lived a long time on the “mainland” and also struggling with her fame. She knows other kinds of life- the life with a dad who’s a rock star, the life with a dad who stopped being a rock star, but is still famous…Well, a lot of them! When she started arguing with Agathe, for once I could see old Blue again with her always being against the rules and dreaming of something better, something suiting her, but sometimes (well, most of the time), you have to make it so you would fit, not that others would have to fit in, just because you want it that way. When I read, somehow I wondered how it’d be with Dax, I assume he would have stood up by Blue’s side with his artistic soul and feeling that everyone needs the liberty to express themselves! I got all sentimental with the picture, where Matthieu is holding Blue’s hand. I remember very well such a similar picture from generation 1 when Memphis and Liev made up after their big argument.
Girls came out absolutely stunning and I wonder why did you decide not to include boys in the poll?

Thank you, Jowita. 😀 It did seem as if life had gone into a kind of lull where their problems were small. That was mainly so I could introduce the children’s personalities more. But you are right that I can’t let the story go for too long without something happening! haha Really, I think Agathe was right when she said she was surprised something like this took so long to happen since Blue did live another life before.
I’m torn between the two sides of things. This is the only life Matt has known, but it’s also the only life the children have known. They have had trips with grandparents and parents to the mainland, but they haven’t lived that life. Is it fair for the entire family to be uprooted over this? And what would they do if they moved? On the other hand, I wouldn’t want some outsider telling me what I could or could not do with my children or my life. It’s a conundrum.
Oh yes, I remember that pic with Memphis and Liev in Generation 1. <3 I miss them so much and can definitely see the comparison there.
As for the poll, I decided I was not quite up to writing a male perspective again. As much as I love Leo, it wasn't always easy writing him. lol

I’m with Blue time to move but not before a few very well parsed out words in public that will burn in the hearts & minds of those left behind; although I can also see how this easily sets up to one particular heir leaving the island, perhaps to become an archeologist, while Blue makes peace with the rules (after the above terse parsed out words that do lead to a few small changes on the island) and the rest of the family stays behind. 🙂

Thank you, Mama Dragon. That would be my response as well, to move on after the parse words, of course. I like your archaeologist idea! I could really run with that. 😀 😀 You always have such good ideas.

I know you’ve said there will be a vote, however I don’t think you’ve realized that you’ve already paved the way for a very obvious heir who will have to do a lot of life learning while working some type of outdoors career away from the island. 😉

Congratulations on achieving Blue’s aspiration ! I had expected this in the family’s early years . .. it’s an interesting surprise that this dilemma would rise up now! I can’t help but think how homesick Blue would feel away from the island and farm .

Thank you, Cathy. You are so right, I’m sure Blue would be terribly homesick if she left the island. From the moment she got there, it seemed as if it was where she was supposed to be.
I think Agathe was as surprised as you are that this problem is only happening now. It does seem to show that even though Blue assimilated herself, she still doesn’t completely think the same was as the community in general. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Whenever I see your story in my reader, I can’t resist not clicking because your sims are so stunning and your shots are amazing! I want to catch up on your story so badly because your characters seem so endearing, but I’m overwhelmed with work at the moment… any day now you shall be bombarded with my notifications; mark my words! I would love to participate in the selection of your new heir, and since the poll is about a month away I might be able to catch up by then if I squeeze in some reading time~
p.s I’ve never seen Mathieu spelt that way before – how unique 😀

Thank you so much! 🙂 Real life always has to come first. 😀 I hope you aren’t overwhelmed for too long and that you get a chance to do some things you enjoy.
Thank you for the lovely words of encouragement. I appreciate it so much. 🙂

Oh goodness, this is a tricky situation to be in. Both sides have a valid argument but I just can’t see Blue splitting the family apart to get away from the rules! I’m anxious to see what happens next 🙂

Thank you, Raymond. 🙂 I agree with what you said about both sides having a valid argument. Like you, I have a hard time thinking Blue would split the family up. (The old Blue definitely would have packed up and left, though! haha)

Blue’s on the knife’s edge with this one. It’s a delicate decision that everyone has to make, sooner or later: choosing between stability and individuality. For some people, stability is more important, and it sounds like Winchester was founded on those ideals, so it’ll be hard to escape them. For others, without free, individual expression, they feel like they’re nothing; worthless. Blue & Matt represent the union of two people from the separate camps. Matt’s a stable guy. He’s got his routine and how he’s lived his whole life. Blue comes from a life where she wanted to change something, so she did. She didn’t like home life, so she ran away.
I have to agree with Matt, though. This isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. Because Blue’s not choosing for just herself. She has to remember that there are many, many people who will be affected by her rash choices (just like running away). But I think both Matt & Blue realize that this issue will be a tough nut to crack, and they’ll work together to crack it. That’s true love: making it work even when you’re on opposite fences on something. I’m crossing all my fingers and toes for them! <3
I think Laci will be a good leader one day. She's stubborn and follows the rules, even when those rules lead to unpleasantness. She's still young though, and doesn't have Agathe's experience in dealing with the gray muddle of issues that are humans. I think Agathe would make some exceptions for Blue's brood (it seems like she has already), but Laci is only just learning so she has to set an example. In order to be a good leader, Laci has to learn what are the absolutes first, before she goes bending rules for those gray areas. Not saying Laci wasn't a rude little twit, but it sounds like she's trying to emulate Agathe's iron will without all of Agathe's experience dealing with people.
One way or another, I'm looking forward to the next few chapters, exploring this plot further and resolving it. In my personal opinion, I think Matt should leave. On the one hand, it might be hard for him to find a job to support his family (Appaloosa Plains, perhaps?), but splitting the family would be harder on the kids. But I don't think Blue would leave him readily. She'll fight tooth and nail to keep him, right up until the point she feels like her kids are threatened. Here's to hoping everyone gets out of Winchester safe and sound. Oo! Maybe Moonlit Falls! 😀

Thank you, fluffymao. You are so right about Blue being on the knife’s edge with this. I really love how you broke it down to stability vs. individuality. You have such a way with words and explaining things. Blue and Matt are, indeed, from opposite viewpoints on this.
And another good comparison… Blue, I think, knows that Matt is right about making rash decisions. When she ran away from home, it took her a long time to realize how many people she hurt, but now she is an adult with her own children and running away with them doesn’t seem a viable option. What if the children don’t want to leave? No one has asked them what they think. This is a tough nut to crack, for sure. It’s as you said, we’ll see if this couple truly loves each other enough to crack it, though.
I really like what you said about Laci, too. I see her much the same way. She is rigid in her views because she doesn’t yet have Agathe’s experience under her belt. At one time, I think Agathe might have been a terror to deal with, too. lol
I like your idea about Matt leaving and perhaps going to Appaloosa or Moonlit Falls. Both excellent destinations that make sense! 😀

I have a feeling Laci won’t make a good leader for the community. Rules are rules, but a little respect and understanding goes a long way and she does not have it. Also, she seems to be a xenophobe.
I feel bad for Matthieu though. The island is all that he’s ever known. His family is there. It will be especially difficult for him if they leave.

Thank you, Violincat. You might be right about Laci unless, in the future, as she gets older, she comes to realize that compassion and respect are as important as the rules. She did seem like a xenophobe, didn’t she? Hopefully, Agathe can straighten that part of her out!
I feel bad for Matthieu, too, for the same reason. If he left, I imagine it would be difficult for him to figure out a job and everything. It would be so hard, especially at this stage of life when he’s worked his own farm so hard and is looking forward to his elder years there.

Wow – what a conundrum! I don’t know what was worse, telling her that her family had to leave or telling her Marty couldn’t wear her new clothes.
Blue does know the rules about the clothing and readily adopted that herself. But seeing Marty’s new found self confidence, I can see her not wanting to risk destroying it.
I think Blue knew in her heart of hearts she would have to tell Marty she could only wear the new clothes on special occasions because she knew Matthieu wouldn’t allow it either. I really think it was more Agathe and Luci telling her she couldn’t wear and taking the choice out of her hands. Of course, Marty may not be happy to not be able to wear what she wants. I can totally see her leaving as soon as she is old enough.
So now Blue and Matthieu are at a crossroads they may not have had to face if Agathe and Luci would have given them time to work it out and not interfered.
I can’t wait to see how they work through this. Blue is mad enough to do exactly what she said. She left home before so she’s not afraid. It would be terribly sad to see her and Matthieu apart. Maybe she can make him come with her to see her parents and expose him to what else is available.
I wonder – can they force them to leave – I guess they would just shun them and not help them out – make them miserable. *sigh*
By the way – The twins are beautiful.

Thank you, Audrey. 🙂 I don’t know which was worse either! I think you’re on to something about Blue feeling more the way she does because of how Agathe and Laci handled it. If they hadn’t butted in and tried to dictate to her, she may have done just as you said. But now, we’re in a pickle. lol
I think it’s a great idea to have Matthieu leave the island for a visit to the folks. It would at least give him a taste of what’s out there seeing as how his view is so limited. The children have really enjoyed their outings to the mainland and visiting grandparents.
As for forcing them to leave the island, I imagine they could; I think they pretty much made Audrey Ann leave when she married the other guy instead of Elliott. But perhaps I’m misspeaking. I’ll have to go back and read that. On the other hand, they wanted Mango to leave and ostracized him, but he stayed anyway…. of course, they were scared of him, though. hahaha
Thank you regarding the twins. 🙂

Wow!! Interesting development. I agree with all the above, sometimes jumping the gun and meddling can backfire. Give people the benefit of the doubt, not to mention credit for being able handle things and see. I belonged to a religion once that monitored every move a person made. It actually can make things worse especially among the youth. Kids that might not have ever erred, did because they were never given the space and chance use their own conscience and choose.
I feel like Blue, time to move. Yet, there’s Matthieu.

Thank you, Jolie. 🙂 I do agree with you regarding jumping the gun and meddling. I mean, Marty really wasn’t home for very long before Agathe and Laci visited.
Blue’s (and my) first response was to get out of there. lol Yet, as you said, there is Matthieu who clearly hadn’t even thought about leaving.

I wonder if it isn’t something she may have thought of before? It is a different life and it served her well at the time but still not the life she came from and the truth is, her family is not wild or corrupt even though they come from the “outside”. Hmmmmm.

OH my. Laci and Agathe have some nerve. It is one thing to be in charge of the island, but that does not give you license to tell people what they can and can not do in their own homes. I am with Blue I think it is time to move to the main land. The island served it’s purpose when it was needed, but now it is no longer needed and time to move on. I hate to see Matt and Blue split up, but this is not going to go away and will only get worse if Blue doesn’t move.

Thank you, Lil. 🙂 Laci and Agathe do have some nerve, I agree. It’s an interesting proposal to move the family off the island. I am considering it. It’s such a hard decision though.
I wonder how Matt would handle moving away? I don’t think he would let Blue go so easily.

What all the above said!! Only that would be too easy, especially when I have to have my ‘say’, too! Laci is definitely going to be an obstacle, and I can’t see Blue standing by and seeing her daughter being ostracized or preached to by someone of Laci’s demeaning attitude! I hope Agathe can help her learn a little “people” skills, and very quickly. Poor Matthieu, he actually cried!! He loves Blue and their family so much, I am afraid it would destroy him if they left and he didn’t go with them. On the other hand, leaving could also make him extremely unhappy, but afraid to admit it. I honestly don’t see the children wanting to leave, either, except Marty. She has always been an individualist, and probably would eventually leave, whether the rest did or not. You have given them quite a conundrum to handle, and I, too, look forward to seeing what the outcome is. And what beauties the girls turned out to be! I hope the twins don’t give Marty too much trouble about her clothes, as that could also make her even more anxious to leave. Lots of problems all at once. Life tends to do that to us! lol

Thank you, Marj! lol No, you need to tell me your opinion on the matter, too. 😀 I agree with what you say about Laci. I think over time and with Agathe’s continued guidance, she could become a good leader. It’s just right now, she has much, much more to learn about how to treat people.
Matt does love Blue and their family and I agree that it would probably destroy him if Blue and the children moved away. If he were to move with them, he may end up resenting her over time. I would hate to see that.
I think, too, that Marty would probably eventually leave the island. The other children, I’m not sure about. I think Laurent, for sure, would want to stay. The next chapter may give you more insight as to their opinions. 😀

LOL Thank you for your feedback. 😀 I’m longing for the real world, too, to be honest. There are three chapters until the heir poll and then one chapter after that until Generation 4, so there might be time to move them. If not, maybe Matthieu should take the advice he gave to Dax and go on a vacay or something with his family. lol

Speaking of the heir poll, you’re making it so hard for me to pick who I want to be heir! And if they don’t get off the island and move somewhere else a vacation is much needed, especially for Matthieu.

I totally agree about the heir poll. I have to have it in the first place because I can’t decide on my own. lol
As for moving/vacation, I have something in the works! 😀 I hope it works out for them all, but especially for Matthieu. <3

Oh dear, this is quite a problem. I don’t want the family to split up and leave the stability of the island, but I also really don’t like how disrespectful Laci was and how unwilling she and Agathe were to try understand. I get the mindset behind the dress code but the way those two marched in and spoke like that about Blue and her family grated on my nerves, and they did before about how they dealt with Marty’s ‘colouring’ problem. I’ve usually liked Agathe but I don’t think Laci would be a good leader of the community.
I think the family should move to the mainland, but I fear only Marty and Blue would be willing to. Or maybe Marty should just leave and live with her grandparents? She’s always been so different compared to the rest of the kids. The island has been a good place for Blue to mature, but the place is so strict that it’s giving the residents a very closed view of the world- they are missing out on so many things! This really is a difficult situation, and it doesn’t seem that it will be resolved without making someone unhappy.
On a happier note, the girls grew up beautifully- I think Lissie is the prettiest so far <3
Really interesting chapter 🙂

Thank you, Lila. 🙂 It all grated on my nerves, too, and I wrote it! haha And you’re right, they pretty much did the same thing when the black crayon was a “problem.”
That’s a good idea about Marty living with Leo and Leela. She might be happier there where no one is scrutinizing her every move.
I totally agree that the islanders have no world view and that they are closed minded.
I think in the next chapter, you’ll get to see where the kids stand in this issue because it’s time for a family pow wow. haha
Thank you so much regarding the twins. I think Lissie is the prettiest, too. 🙂

I knew that things couldn’t be rosie forever, but I sort of hoped that they would be.
Seeing Leo as an elder was almost as hard as seeing him when he was sick. I didn’t recognize him without his bright hair (and I still miss that streak of purple).
I am a bit confused by your pictures. When Blue and Matthieu are talking there is a smaller picture of someone in the bushes. Does that mean that one of their children overheard their conversation?
Also, Leo Jr. is on the island too. So Laci has a lot of nerve talking about Leo & Leela as “those people” when they have more of a close tie to the island than just Blue.
And, please correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Laci the daughter of Elliott and AudreyAnn? I remember when AudreyAnn was treated as an outsider and looked down upon when she came back to the island. So, Laci needs to slow her roll!!
Sorry for the long comment, but pushy people just get to me!!

Thank you, socallucyfan 🙂 While this situation seems pretty dire, I’m sure things will look better once they’ve thought about it all. Right now, Blue is really angry and that never helps. lol
I had a hard time seeing Leo as an elder, too. (I might’ve even wiped a couple tears away! lol) That streak of purple was the best!
About the pictures, I can see why you would like some clarification. That is Charles in the picture’s background working in the garden. He, Laurent, and Marty were all there. But the way the camera is angled, it looks like they are close by, when really, they are pretty far away. I’m pretty certain they couldn’t have heard what Blue and Matt were discussing.
I really adore that you brought up the fact that Leo Jr. is on the island which means Leo and Leela were visiting more than just Blue and have strong reasons for doing so.
And I adore even more that you tied in the fact that Laci’s mother was treated so horribly in the past and she was from the island but had moved away. So, yes, you are 100% right that Laci needs to get a grip and learn her facts. lol
Pushy people get to me, too, believe me. 😀

Awe you said you adore me! You have no idea how much that makes me happy <3
Thank you for the clarification in the pictures. I am glad that the children are too far away to hear anything. I can only imagine how upset they would have been.
It is a small island after all. Laci might not know about her mother's past treatment, but Agatha certainly would have! Plus, wasn't Blue like one of the only ones on the island that was nice to AudreyAnn from Day 1?!?
Don't even get me started on small town politics!! 😉

LOL at small town politics! I know, right? It’s so hypocritical, really. You are right that Blue is the one who realized that Audrey Ann was worth befriending and she fought to help her when Agathe decided she couldn’t stay on the island. Blue is a large part of why Audrey Ann and Elliott were allowed to get married and why Laci exists. lol

Oh, here it goes! I don’t know, but I’m kind of shaking my head at Blue right now. She’s been there for years. She knows the rules. Yes, it’s sad that Marty has to change right after she finally feels comfortable as herself, but she won’t be there forever. When she’s older, she has the right to leave home and go to the mainland. Until then, rules are rules and leaving over clothes is just silly when Blue has stated how much she loves her life in Winchester. Besides, she’d be leaving all her friends and her kids would have to make whole new lives! 😮 Wherever they live would be drastically different. They may never be able to adjust to that. However, that’s just me. Blue will do what Blue does best! 😉

Thank you so much Rosie. 🙂 I can see where you are coming from because, yes, Blue did know the rules from the very beginning, agreed to live there, assimilated herself which meant raising her children under those rules.
I think it would be difficult for the children to get used to a complete new way of life. Other kids they meet would be really different from them and it might be difficult to make friends and adjust.
I really appreciate your feedback. 🙂

Oh wow, that girl with Agathe is Elliot’s eldest daughter?? How rude they both were! 😡
I hope they’ll find another rural place to live, but together! Maybe Champs les Sims or Monte Vista? 🙂
The girl are dangerously beautiful! I can’t wait to see Susan as a teen too!

I was wondering when this would happen. I expected it to happen sooner tbh. Blue is right her family and children’s welfare is more important than following rules that don’t make sense. Why should anyone be able to dictate what someone else’s children can wear? Or who is allowed in someone else’s home as guests? I hope Matt doesn’t let his love of his home become more important than his love of Blue and his family. Right now his attitude isn’t giving me the warm and fuzzies.

I agree that this very well could have happened much sooner. It’s probably a good thing it didn’t because if it had, their marriage might not have been as strong.
I definitely would have had a huge problem if someone told me who I could have in my home or how my kids could dress. It would have irked me to no end. lol

Hmmm… What a conundrum. I don’t know what to say. Part of me wants them to leave, but it kind of feels weird uprooting all this children… where will they go?! Personally, I don’t think I’ll survive in Winchester. It’ll drive me crazy. What?! No computers?! No Sims? I’m outta here…

LOL! The thought of trying to survive in Winchester cracks me up. I could never do it either. At one point, I thought it would be cool if Leo and Leela moved there to be near the grandchildren, but then, as I thought more about it, I realized that they would hate that with a passion. LOL Leo likes really nice things and Leela likes that, too, these days. 😀

The problem of people being set in their ways and traditions – and never changing – is that you get communities which are stuck in the past. In some ways, this is good, and I won’t argue with that. Technology and social media and so on have changed our lives and how we treat other people. But on the other hand, things like medicine, better farming practices, better environmental knowledge… these things should be kept up with! And I think it’s ridiculous to control things like outfits – saying that people expressing themselves like individuals will lead to disruption or disarray sounds like the kind of argument certain religions and “governments” use to keep their people in line. But then my attitude may also be because I hate being told what to do (like Blue, it seems..) 😛

Thank you so much 🙂 And I’m chuckling a little because you are right about Blue. She likes to be the one telling people what to do, not the other way around. 😛 And in her mind, there are far more important issues to worry about than what someone wears or who can visit her.
I totally agree with what you said about keeping up with things and the way this community in particular is oppressed to some degree. It will be very interesting, I think, to see how this all plays out.

hmmm, in a way I don’t want Agathe and Laci to “win,” so I want them to stay. But, then again, I would love to see the Larochette family away from the island. I can’t imagine future generations living there.
I noticed Charles and Laurent weren’t up for the vote. Why is that?

I agree with you! 🙂
After a lot of thinking, I decided I wasn’t up to writing a male perspective again quite yet. Writing Leo was fun but especially difficult for me. I have decided, however, that I won’t put that kind of limitation on Gen 4. 🙂

About the Author

Hi, my name is Kymber but you may know me by my pseudonym, Rosemary Castevet. I’m an author, simmer, Registered Nurse, Judy Garland devotee, and horror buff. Did I mention I’m currently owned by Cesare the cat? On top of all of that, I’m a redheaded INFJ who is also a vegan. I’m glad you’re here! Grab a comfy chair and settle in for a fun read.